Park skiing after acl reconstruction

for those that have had acl reconstruction, how long did it take you to return to park skiing, even just hitting small rails?

i was told i would be cleared to start skiing at 6 months by my surgeon, and i figured i could just start working my way back into it at that point. but talking to my physical therapist today, he said that he didnt know if i would be able to hit any features this year (admittedly he doesnt know a lot about skiing) and got me thinking if i should invest in filming gear if i couldnt hit any features at all this year. so im just curious to see how long it took you guys to do more than just cruise around the groomers all day

My first time I skied the next season no problem. I was 8 months out by the time Killington opened and I was hitting features all year, it would get achy here and there. I'm currently 9 weeks out on my 2nd reconstruction on the same knee, probably won't even make it on snow for the '14 season.

I gave mine probably like 8 months, maybe even 9, of not doing anything but therapy. But that was the first year I went to college and NJ got like no snow, not that that's different from other years... But I didn't do much skateboarding, soccer or anything else I do during that time. And the hill didn't open till like january or something. I pushed around eventually, and it was my pushing leg, so that made my calf get properly sized again. I also used the gym at school to continue light exercises after the pt sessions. Do some therapy and don't hit the big jumps your first day back.

i gave both of my acl reconstructions at least 6 months which my surgeon suggested both times. i got the patella graft though. depending on your age and which reconstruction you got it might not be the same amount of recovery time for your new acl to recover

Im 13 weeks out of surgery, had a hamstring graft, quite a lot of PT plus i work full time in a job where i am on my feet all shift for up to 12 hours. Been told by the surgeon and my PT I should be fine to ski in December but not to push it for the first month or two. When getting back on skis what have people found to be the problems? Anything been heavy on it?

I more of a free ride guy but i spend time in the park, wondering if there is anything i should stay away from for the first part of the season?

I had surgery late april on my acl and both sides of meniscus. the clinic at the university in my city is where the canadian ski team goes for surgery so they are used to seeing skiers in there. He said I would be good to ski groomers but not much else this season. I'll be about 8 months post surgery when my local spot opens up and my physiotherapist told me "not to take my skis off the snow this season" cause it takes 18 months for a new acl to fully graft. but my surgeon told me I'd be able to ease back into park skiing so I will probably just take it easy and hit rails. I deferred a year from going to college cause I'm going into a snow resort co op program and wanted to make the most of it.

basically you are supposed to wait a full year before getting back into skiing but it's not super risky as long as you've recovered properly and done what they told you to.

also depends what kind of surgery you had. my surgeon told me hamstrings will graft quicker but have a higher potential for reinjury, and patella tendon will be a longer recovery/graft but hold up better under impact and stuff. mine was done with my patella

It just wasnt worth it to me anymore after being out of commission for almost a year

-Chris

"I'd really like to get my name out so I can piss on 13 year old girls and get away with it, do a shit load of heroin, autograph boobs without it being harassment and then finally blow my brains out when the fame gets to me."
-DUjjainwalla

"i was going to post something demeaning and funny about the op, but then i saw that TechnoPotamus did so now i find it unnecessary."
-Big5hifty

The PT's assessment is probably more realistic, as he/she gets to watch your individual progression. There's a lot of variability in how people recover. Although, you should really try to find a PT that has experience with skiing - it'll make a big difference to have someone that understands the demands you'll place on your knee and experience dealing with sports rehab.

My 2c - 6 mo to get back to park skiing is optimistic. It took me about 8. But you may be faster, or slower.

All good things to hear. Im not up for rushing back to hit it hard, i just want to get on the mountain again, and if i can ski some pow i will be happy. Any of you guys have some advice on skiing backcountry with a new knee?

things are always more fun when you are up to your nuts in something

Sep 16 2013 5:31AM

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